WO2017178982A1 - Module orientable pour équipement vidéo/photographique - Google Patents

Module orientable pour équipement vidéo/photographique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017178982A1
WO2017178982A1 PCT/IB2017/052109 IB2017052109W WO2017178982A1 WO 2017178982 A1 WO2017178982 A1 WO 2017178982A1 IB 2017052109 W IB2017052109 W IB 2017052109W WO 2017178982 A1 WO2017178982 A1 WO 2017178982A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
joint element
bush
head
joint
module according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/052109
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stefano GRANDESSO
Original Assignee
Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A. filed Critical Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A.
Priority to EP17724292.2A priority Critical patent/EP3443256B1/fr
Priority to JP2018553952A priority patent/JP6920339B2/ja
Priority to US16/092,933 priority patent/US10697581B2/en
Priority to CN201780023217.6A priority patent/CN109154415B/zh
Publication of WO2017178982A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017178982A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
    • F16M11/12—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction
    • F16M11/14—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction with ball-joint
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/10—Arrangements for locking
    • F16C11/103—Arrangements for locking frictionally clamped
    • F16C11/106—Arrangements for locking frictionally clamped for ball joints
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
    • F16M13/022—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle repositionable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
    • F16M11/2035—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment in more than one direction
    • F16M11/2078—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment in more than one direction with ball-joint
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/02—Locking means
    • F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
    • F16M2200/022—Locking means for rotational movement by friction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an orientable module for optical or video/photographic equipment, having the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim .
  • Video/photographic equipment is usually mounted on suitable supports intended to support such equipment securely and firmly while taking shots.
  • the supports can, for example, be of the tripod type and are intended to rest on the ground, or other desired supporting surface, to take the shots.
  • an orientation head is usually provided between the equipment and the supports, to which head the video/photographic equipment is coupled and which is in turn mounted on the support to allow the equipment to be oriented so as to take the desired shots.
  • Such heads are typically provided with one or more articulation joints, for example spherical or cylindrical joints, to vary the position of the equipment supported by the head relative to the support to which it is fixed.
  • articulation joints for example spherical or cylindrical joints
  • WO2003/083351 describes a support for photographic equipment, comprising a column intended to be inserted into the hole of a cross-brace and provided at a first longitudinal end thereof with a cup-shaped element intended to slidably accommodate a spherical ball .
  • the cup-shaped element and the spherical ball form a spherical joint allowing the photographic equipment to be oriented.
  • the cup-shaped element is fixed to the longitudinal end of the column, while the ball is fixed to a coupling plate for coupling a piece of photographic equipment.
  • the spherical joint is clamped by means of a tie rod that extends within the column along the longitudinal axis thereof and is moveable along said axis in order to lock/release the spherical joint.
  • the tie rod is fixed at a first end thereof to the ball and is provided at its opposite longitudinal end with a threaded shank.
  • a handle is provided on the column, in the longitudinally opposite position to the spherical joint, which handle can be screwed onto the threaded shank so as to move the tie rod in order to release/lock the spherical joint.
  • the locking handle is positioned on the lower part of the support, i .e. in a position that is difficult for an operator to reach.
  • Another shortcoming of this system is that it is not particularly secure, especially when used with video/photographic equipment and/or heads of appreciable size and weight.
  • the problem addressed by the present invention is that of producing an orientable module for optical or video/photographic equipment, which is structurally and functionally designed to overcome the limitations set out above with reference to the prior art mentioned.
  • a supporting tripod is also supplied for video/photographic equipment provided with an orientable module fixed to the cross-brace of the support or to a column thereof in order to level the video/photographic equipment to be supported by the tripod.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orientable module for optical or video/photographic equipment implemented according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional lateral view of the module in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the module in Fig. 2, along the plane II I- III ;
  • - Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the module in Fig. 2, in a second operating configuration
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of the module of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of another detail of the module of the invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a partial view from below of a tripod provided with the orientable module according to the invention in a closed, transport configuration.
  • the figures show an orientable module for optical or video/photographic equipment 1 implemented in accordance with the present invention.
  • the orientable module 1 is intended to be fixed to a support for video/photographic equipment, for example the supporting tripod 100 shown in Fig. 7, and is arranged so as to orient the video/photographic equipment relative to said support.
  • the support has the function of offering firm contact with the ground, or with a desired supporting surface, and is preferably a tripod.
  • the supporting tripod 100 may possible comprise a column 5, such as that shown in part in Fig. 1 and 4, that is hollow inside, extends along its own longitudinal axis Z' and is engaged into a cross-brace of said tripod 100, not visible in the figures, and three support legs 101, which are advantageously telescopic and hinged to the cross-brace.
  • the tripod 100 does not comprise the column and the module 1 is inserted into the hole in the cross-brace.
  • the video/photographic equipment is conventional per se and is therefore not shown in the attached figures.
  • the video/photographic equipment is coupled to a support head (not shown in the figures), which is orientable so that the video/photographic equipment can be oriented in order to take the desired shots and the head is fixed to the orientable module of the invention, as explained more fully below.
  • the module 1 comprises an orientable joint 4 provided with a first joint element 2 and a second joint element 3, shown in greater detail in Fig. 2-6, which are connected together so as to be able to oscillate to allow the support head of the video/photographic equipment to be oriented relative to the supporting surface of the support in a desired position selected by the user, as described more fully below.
  • the second joint element 3 shown in greater detail in Fig. 5, comprises a head 6, which is practically spherical in shape, from which a shaft 7 extends radially.
  • the shaft 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends along its own longitudinal axis Z corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the second joint element 3. In the version shown, the shaft 7 is provided with a thread 8 over its whole longitudinal extent "L".
  • the thread 8 can be provided on only one or in a few portions of said shaft 7.
  • the shaft can be unthreaded.
  • the second joint element 3 also comprises a cylindrical connector 9 placed between the shaft 7 and the head 6, having smaller radial dimensions than those of both the head 6 and the shaft 7, and intended to locate the first joint element 2 in the orientation of the video/photographic equipment, as explained more fully below.
  • the head 6 is shaped substantially as a spherical cap or segment of a sphere, delimited by two opposite bases SI, S2 and connected to the connector 9 by one of the two bases SI, S2.
  • a groove 10 is defined on the outer surface S of the head 6, which groove extends over the head 6 in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z of the second joint element 3, i.e. between the two opposite bases SI, S2 and is delimited by two opposite longitudinal edges 11 spaced apart by a distance "D" defining the width of the groove 10, i.e. its extent in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the first joint element 2 shown in greater detail in Fig. 6, comprises a body 12 intended to be fixed either to a support, for example the column 5 of a tripod 100 for video/photographic equipment which column is shown in part in Fig. 1 and 4, or directly to a cross-brace of a supporting tripod.
  • the body 12 is hollow on the inside and shaped so as to define a seating cavity 13 accommodating the head 6 of the second joint element 3 and keeping it engaged.
  • the body 12 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 16 extending along its own longitudinal axis, intended to be inserted into the column 5 and having outer dimensions capable of being inserted tightly, without any possibility of rotation, into said column 5.
  • the body 12 and, preferably, the sleeve 16 are fixed in a secure manner, for example by welding or gluing, to the column 5 or, in general, to the supporting tripod.
  • the sleeve 16 is hollow on the inside, so as to define the seating cavity 13. Said cavity is delimited by a wall 14 provided with at least one relief element 15 projecting into the seating cavity 13 and intended to be housed inside the groove 10.
  • the relief element 15 has dimensions practically corresponding to the width D of the groove 10, so as to prevent mutual rotation of the first 2 and second 3 joint element about the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the opposite longitudinal edges 11 of the groove 10 are raised above the bottom 10A of the groove 10 so as to prevent the relief element 15 from accidentally escaping from said groove 10.
  • the relief element 15 and the groove 10 act as anti-rotation elements to prevent mutual rotation of the first 2 and second 3 joint element about the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the shape of the relief element 15 and/or of the groove 10 are such as to allow movement of the relief element 15 within the groove 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z, to allow mutual orientation of the first 2 and second 3 joint element, as explained more fully below.
  • the relief element 15 runs inside the groove 10.
  • the relief element 15 and the groove 10 also act as guide elements, as explained more fully below.
  • At least one abutment element 19 is also provided, which extends from the wall 14 into the seating cavity 13 transversely to the longitudinal axis Z' of the cylindrical sleeve 16 and is intended to abut the outer surface S of the head 6 so as to lock the second joint element 3 in said seating cavity 13, as described more fully below.
  • the at least one abutment element 19 is shaped as a locating tooth projecting outwards into the seating cavity.
  • the at least one abutment element 19 extends over a circumferential portion of the wall 14 so as to effectively lock the head 6 in the seating cavity 13 and prevent the head 6 from escaping from the seating cavity 13.
  • the wall 14 is provided with a plurality of abutment elements 19 extending from the wall 14 into the seating cavity 13 and spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the wall 14.
  • the body 12 is provided with a single locating element projecting outwards into the seating cavity 13 of the wall 14 and extending along the entire circumference of the wall 14 and intended to locate the outer surface S of the head 6 so as to lock the second joint element 3 in the seating cavity 13.
  • the abutment element 19 is provided with an abutting surface 19A intended to abut the outer surface S of the head 6, shaped so as to be shapingly coupled with the outer surface S of the head 6.
  • abutment elements 19 projecting outwards into the seating cavity 13 allows the head 6 to be locked securely and firmly in the seating cavity 13.
  • the one or more abutment elements 19 define the opening 33 of the seating cavity through which the connector 9 of the second joint element 3 passes, the edges of which elements limit, by interference, the extent to which said second joint element 3 can be oriented relative to the first joint element 2.
  • a connector 9 between the shaft 7 and the head 6, having smaller radial dimensions than those of both the head 6 and the shaft 7, allows the size of the angle of relative orientation between the first 2 and second 3 joint element to be increased, simultaneously preventing the excessive weakening of the orientabie module and maintaining high orientation accuracy.
  • the seating chamber 13 of the head 6 is, therefore, delimited by the internal side wall 14 of the sleeve 16 and by the abutment surface 19A of the at least one abutment element 19.
  • the body 12 further comprises a head portion 17 inserted over the cylindrical sleeve 16 and shaped like a skirt positioned outside the cylindrical sleeve 16 having an outer wall 17A with a curved profile.
  • the body 12 further comprises a damping element positioned on the cylindrical sleeve 16 and intended to abut the supporting tripod 100 so as to dampen and cushion any knocks or blows.
  • the damping element is an O-ring 18 provided on the outside of the cylindrical sleeve 16.
  • the orientabie module 1 further comprises a plate 30 engaged on the shaft 7 of the second support element 3 and intended to support a support and orientation head of a piece of video/photographic equipment.
  • the plate 30 is screwed onto the shaft 7, while in other versions (not shown), elements other than a thread can be provided for engagement between the plate and the shaft.
  • the plate 30 is fixed in a certain position on the shaft 7 by means of a grub screw 31, or other suitable fixing elements known in the sector.
  • the length "L" of the shaft 7 is such that an end portion 7A of the shaft 7 longitudinally opposite the head 6 is positioned on the outside of the plate 30 and acts as a coupling portion 7A for coupling the support head of the video/photographic equipment to the orientabie module 1.
  • the shaft 7, or at least its coupling portion 7A has dimensions making it compatible with commercially available devices for coupling support heads for video/photographic equipment.
  • the support head is directly coupled to the orientable module of the invention, and thereby the module of the invention results in a particularly compact shape.
  • the orientable module 1 further comprises a locking device 20 engaged on the second joint element 3 and intended to be actuated by a user in order to lock/release the joint 4.
  • the locking device 20 is intended to be manoeuvred so as to move the second joint element 3 along a locking axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis Z of the second joint element 3, between a release configuration of the joint 4 (not shown in the figures), in which the second joint element 3 can oscillate in the seating cavity 13 to allow the equipment to be oriented relative to the support 100, and a locked configuration W of the joint 4 (shown in the figures), in which the second joint element 3 is locked in a desired orientation position relative to the first joint element 2.
  • the locking device 20 is pressed against the first joint element 2, as explained more fully below, and the first 2 and the second 3 joint elements are positioned and locked in a desired mutual orientation.
  • the second joint element 3 can be oscillated in the seating cavity 13 so as to orient the video/photographic equipment coupled thereto.
  • the second joint element 3 can be positioned such that the longitudinal axis Z of the second joint element 3 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis Z' of the column 5, as shown in Fig. 1, or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis Z' of the column 5, as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the rotation of the second joint element 3 about its own longitudinal axis Z is prevented by the connection between the relief element 15 and the groove 10 which, as stated, act as anti-rotation elements.
  • the locking device 20 of the orientable module 1 is engaged on the shaft 7 of the secondo joint element 3 so as to be positioned between the first joint element 2 and the plate 30.
  • the locking device 20 is positioned close to the orientation head that rests on the plate 30 and also close to the video/photographic equipment. This makes it possible to increase the convenience and safety of using the orientable module of the invention, as explained more fully below.
  • the locking device 20 comprises a bush 21 engaged on the shaft 7 and manoeuvrable in rotation so as to actuate the locking device 20 in order to lock/release the joint 4.
  • the bush 21 can be manoeuvred in rotation so as to cause movement of the locking device 20 relative to the first joint element 2 along the longitudinal axis Z in both directions of the arrow F, so as to clamp/release the second joint element 3 in the seating cavity 13, as explained more fully below.
  • the inside of the bush 21 is provided with a threaded hole 21A so that it can be screwed onto the thread 8 of the shaft 7.
  • the bush 21 and the shaft 7 can be engaged with one another by means of engagement elements other than the thread, capable of allowing the movement of the bush 21 along the longitudinal axis Z of the shaft 7 so as to lock/release the joint 4.
  • the bush 21 is provided with gripping elements to make it easier for a user to grip and actuate it.
  • the bush 21 is provided with three gripping appendages 22, spaced apart over the outer surface of the bush 21 so as to facilitate grasping and actuation by a user in order to rotate the bush 21 within the shaft 7.
  • the three gripping appendages 22 are advantageously equally spaced apart over the outer surface of the bush 21 and are shaped such that, between two consecutive gripping appendages 22, a recess 32 is defined, into which the user's fingers can be inserted during actuation of the bush, in order to exert greater force when rotating the bush 21.
  • the recesses 32 can be used for accommodating the legs 101 of a supporting tripod 100 in the closed, transport configuration of said support 100, so as to limit the amount of space occupied by the support 100 in the closed, transport configuration.
  • the recesses 32 are shaped so as to be shapingly coupled with the legs 101 of the tripod 100 to facilitate their insertion.
  • the recesses 32 and the gripping appendages 22 are shaped so that, in the closed, transport configuration, the legs of the tripod 100 can be aligned.
  • the presence of the three gripping appendages 22 and the recesses 32 makes it easier to actuate the bush 21 and also to close a tripod 100 provided with the orientable module 1 according to the invention.
  • the gripping appendages 22 and the recesses 32 therefore have a self-centring effect when the supporting tripod is closed, and the legs 101 are folded and each inserted into one of the recesses 32, as is more clearly visible in Fig. 7.
  • Rotating the bush 21, as indicated by the arrow of rotation Fl, on the thread 8 of the shaft 7 causes said bush 21 to be moved in a translational manner along the longitudinal axis Z, as indicated by arrow F, so as to lock/release the joint 4 in order to lock the equipment in a desired orientation or to release it and allow it to be oriented relative to the supporting tripod 100, as explained more fully below.
  • the locking device 20 further comprises a pusher element 23 inserted between the bush 21 and the first joint element 2 and arranged so as to interact with said first joint element in order to clamp/release the second joint element 3 onto/from the first joint element 2, as explained more fully below.
  • the pusher element 23 is placed between the bush 21 and the first joint element 2 so as to be positioned abutting against the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2.
  • the pusher element 23 is coaxial with the bush 21, and is linked thereto so that it can rotate relative to said bush 21 about the longitudinal axis Z, but can be moved together with the bush 21 in a translational manner along the longitudinal axis Z, as explained more fully below.
  • the pusher element 23 can be moved in a translational manner along the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the pusher element 23 comprises a cup-shaped body having a base 23C intended to be connected to the bush 21 and a side wall 23B that projects from the base 23C in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z and defines a cavity that increases in breadth as the distance from the base 23C increases.
  • the side wall 23B is splayed away from the base 23C.
  • the inner surface 23A of the side wall 23B is intended to be connected to the first joint element 2.
  • the pusher element 23 comprises a thrust ring, preferably made of aluminium, the inner surface 23A of which defines an annular thrust surface facing towards the first joint element 2 and shaped so as to be connected in positive engagement to the outer wall 17A of the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2.
  • the thrust surface 23A and the outer surface 17A of the thrust ring 23 and of the head portion 17, respectively are curved or rounded to make it easier for them to slide over one another. Furthermore, the use of aluminium to produce the pusher element 23 makes it possible to increase the locking action of the pusher element 23 on the head portion 17.
  • the pusher element 23 is driven with a progressively increasing force against the head portion 17 so as to gradually increase the friction torque exerted between the pusher element 23 and the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 so as to gradually lock the head 6 in the seating cavity 13.
  • the bush 21 In the locked configuration W, the bush 21 is in a position close to the first joint element 2 and the pusher element 23 is clamped against the head portion 17.
  • the bush 21 is connected to the pusher element 23 at the base 23C of said pusher element 23, in other words close to the shaft 7, i .e. on a surface having a limited diameter.
  • connection between the pusher element 23 and the first joint element 2 is defined at the thrust surface 23A, i.e. the inner surface 23A of the side wall 23B of the pusher element 23, which has a larger diameter than the diameter of the base 23C.
  • the locking device 20 further comprises a friction device 24 for applying friction to the oscillation of the second joint element 3 in the seating cavity 13 relative to the first joint element 2 with the joint 4 in the release configuration .
  • the friction device 24 is placed between the bush 21 and the first joint element 2 and is configured so as to drive the second joint element 3 to abut the at least one abutment element 19 in order to apply friction to the rotation of the second joint element 3 in the seating cavity.
  • the friction device is prestressed so as to exert a direct thrust force in order to clamp the second joint element 3 inside the seating cavity 13.
  • the presence and configuration of the friction device 24 makes it possible to avoid there being sudden movements of the second joint element 3 when the joint 4 is in the release configuration, as explained more fully below.
  • the friction device 24 is intended to drive the pusher element 23 against the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 so as to generate a certain amount of friction between the thrust surface 23A and the curved outer wall 17A, so as to provide a certain amount of resistance to mutual oscillation of the first 2 and second 3 joint element.
  • Friction is thus applied to the movement of the second joint element 3 in the seating cavity 13 and sudden, unwanted movements of the second joint element 3 are avoided, as explained more fully below.
  • the friction device 24 comprises a spring 25 wound coaxially around the longitudinal axis Z of the shaft 7 and connected at its opposite longitudinal ends 26, 27 to the bush 21 and to the base 23C, respectively, of the pusher element 23.
  • the bush 21 is provided with a circumferential groove arranged so as to accommodate the first longitudinal end 26 of the spring 25, while the second longitudinal end 27 of the spring 25 is intended to slide over a sliding surface 23D defined on the base 23C of the pusher element 23, longitudinally opposite the thrust surface 23A.
  • the spring 25 is prestressed so as to drive the pusher element 23 towards the head portion 17 of the body 12 in order to exert a thrust force on the second joint element 3.
  • the effect of the thrust force exerted by the spring 25 drives the thrust surface 23A so that it abuts the curved outer wall 17A and exerts on said outer wall a thrust that tends to lock the pusher element 23 and the body 12 in the required angular position, i.e. in the desired mutual orientation position.
  • the thrust exerted by the spring 25 causes friction to be applied to the movement of the head 6 in the seating cavity 13 and therefore in order to move the head 6 within the seating cavity 13, it is necessary to overcome the thrust force exerted by the spring 25, or in general by the friction device 24.
  • the force exerted by the spring 25 in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z is applied to the sliding surface 23D of the base 23C of the pusher element 23 and then distributed over the thrust surface 23A thereof that has larger transverse dimensions than the base 23C and, by means of the thrust surface 23A, the force of the spring 25 is transmitted to the outer wall 17A of the head portion 17.
  • the shape of the sliding surface 23D, the thrust surface 23A and the outer wall 17A allows the torque of forces generated by the spring 25 to be distributed uniformly, and prevents localised stresses on the orientable module.
  • the locking bush 21 is fixed in translation relative to the longitudinal axis Z, i .e. it has to rotate about the shaft 7 in order to be moved along the longitudinal axis Z; the first joint element 2 is also fixed relative to the longitudinal axis Z.
  • the friction device 24 is fixed to the bush 21 and placed between said bush and the pusher element 23, and is prestressed so as to drive the pusher element 23, which can be moved along the longitudinal axis Z, towards the first joint element 2 so as to apply friction to the movement of the second joint element in the seating cavity 13.
  • the thrust force exerted by the friction device 24 in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z is exerted when the joint 4 is in the release configuration, i .e. with the bush
  • the pusher element 23 is progressively driven against the outer wall 17a of the first joint element 2, gradually increasing the compressive force exerted on the first joint element 2 by the pusher element 23.
  • the orientable module 1 is fixed to a support such as a tripod 100, inserting the sleeve 16 for example in a column 5 of the support, the plate 30 is fixed to the orientable module 1, by means of the grub screw 31, in a desired position of the shaft 7.
  • a piece of video/photographic equipment coupled to an orientable support head is fixed to the orientable module 1, advantageously by screwing onto the coupling portion 7A of the shaft 7 until it rests on the plate 30.
  • the supporting tripod is thus positioned in a suitable position for taking the desired shots. If the supporting surface of the tripod or the ground is uneven, the orientation head needs to be levelled so that the shots can be taken correctly oriented relative to the horizon, i .e. the orientation of the video/photographic equipment needs to be varied relative to the support.
  • the equipment usually has to be levelled so that the plane of panoramic rotation thereof is perpendicular to the vertical axis, i .e. parallel to the horizontal plane.
  • the user releases the joint 4 of the orientable module 1, manoeuvring the locking device 20 so as to place it in the release configuration.
  • the user grasps and turns the bush 21 inside the shaft 7 in such a direction as to cause the bush 21 to move away from the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2.
  • Rotating the bush 21 gradually reduces the thrust exerted by the pusher element 23 on the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2, and consequently the thrust exerted through reaction on the second joint element 3 gradually diminishes. In other words, the first and second joint elements 2, 3 are gradually released from one another.
  • the pusher element 23 When the joint 4 is in the release configuration, the pusher element 23 is in contact with the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 but does not exert any thrust thereon. In the release configuration, however, the spring 25 exerts a force that drives the pusher element 23 onto the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 so as to keep the head 6 of the second joint element 3 in contact with the abutment surface 19A.
  • the thrust exerted by the spring 25 requires sufficient force to be exerted to overcome said thrust in order to move the second joint element 3 relative to the first joint element 2, with the joint 4 in the release configuration.
  • the user can then grasp the equipment and handle it so as to orient it as desired.
  • the user After having positioned the equipment in the desired position, and therefore the joint 4 in a desired operational configuration, if necessary with the shaft 7 positioned with the longitudinal axis Z tilted relative to the longitudinal axis Z' of the column 5 (as shown in Fig. 4), the user locks the joint 4 so as to prevent movement from the preselected orientation configuration .
  • the friction exerted by the spring 25 prevents the joint 4 from being moved from the preselected orientation configuration, for example due to the weight of the equipment.
  • the user grasps and rotates the bush 21 about the longitudinal axis Z of the shaft 7 so as to move it towards the head 6.
  • the pusher element 23 is thus driven against the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 with a gradually increasing force.
  • the progressive thrust exerted on the head portion 17 of the first joint element 2 by the pusher element 23 allows the second joint element 3 to be progressively locked in a certain position in the seating cavity 13.
  • orientable module 1 of the invention a user will find it extremely convenient to actuate the locking device 20 in order to lock/release the joint 4.
  • the shape of the orientable module of the invention makes it very easy for the joint 4 to be locked/ released.
  • the user can actuate the bush 21 with the same hand as the one supporting the equipment and/or the one acting on the orientation head. This also increases safety in use.
  • the provision of the gripping elements makes it easy for a user to grip and actuate said bush.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Accessories Of Cameras (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un module de support orientable (1) pour équipement optique ou vidéo/photographique, comportant un premier (2) et un second (3) élément d'articulation reliés entre eux de manière à pouvoir osciller et destinés à être couplés respectivement à un élément de support (5, 100) et à une pièce d'équipement optique ou vidéo/photographique pour orienter l'équipement, le second élément d'articulation (3) comprenant une tête (6) et un arbre (7) s'étendant à partir de la tête (6) selon son propre axe longitudinal (Z), le premier élément d'articulation (2) comprenant un corps (12) définissant une cavité d'assise (13) pour la tête (6), le module comprenant en outre un dispositif de verrouillage (20) qui peut être actionné pour déplacer le second élément d'articulation (3) selon un axe de verrouillage (Z) entre une configuration de libération, dans laquelle le second élément d'articulation (3) est libre d'osciller dans la cavité d'assise (13), et une configuration verrouillée (W), dans laquelle le second élément d'articulation (3) est serré dans la cavité d'assise (13) et est bloqué dans une position d'orientation souhaitée, le dispositif de verrouillage (20) comprenant une douille (21) enclenchée sur l'arbre (7) et déplaçable selon l'axe longitudinal (Z) pour serrer le second élément d'articulation (3) dans la cavité d'assise (13) ou le libérer depuis celle-ci (13).
PCT/IB2017/052109 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 Module orientable pour équipement vidéo/photographique WO2017178982A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17724292.2A EP3443256B1 (fr) 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 Module orientable pour équipement vidéo/photographique
JP2018553952A JP6920339B2 (ja) 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 ビデオ／写真撮影機器用の方向付けが可能な装置
US16/092,933 US10697581B2 (en) 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 Orientable module for video/photographic equipment
CN201780023217.6A CN109154415B (zh) 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 用于视频/摄影设备的可定向模块

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102016000038153 2016-04-13
ITUA2016A002560A ITUA20162560A1 (it) 2016-04-13 2016-04-13 Modulo orientabile per apparecchiature video-fotografiche

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017178982A1 true WO2017178982A1 (fr) 2017-10-19

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PCT/IB2017/052109 WO2017178982A1 (fr) 2016-04-13 2017-04-12 Module orientable pour équipement vidéo/photographique

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US10697581B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP3443256B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP6920339B2 (fr)
CN (1) CN109154415B (fr)
IT (1) ITUA20162560A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2017178982A1 (fr)

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WO2021158544A1 (fr) * 2020-02-03 2021-08-12 Dimond Innovations Llc. Accessoire d'appareil d'éclairage aligné

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US10697581B2 (en) 2020-06-30
ITUA20162560A1 (it) 2017-10-13
US20190145573A1 (en) 2019-05-16
JP2019516131A (ja) 2019-06-13
CN109154415B (zh) 2021-03-30
EP3443256A1 (fr) 2019-02-20
CN109154415A (zh) 2019-01-04
JP6920339B2 (ja) 2021-08-18
EP3443256B1 (fr) 2019-12-04

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